Effect of root pruning and irrigation regimes on pear tree: growth, yield and yield components

The effect of root pruning (RP) as compared with non-root pruning (NP) and the potential of supplemental irrigation in alleviating the negative effect of root pruning on fruit growth, yield and yield components were investigated in a pear orchard from 2010 to 2011. Results showed that the total shoot length and the number of shoots per tree decreased by 72% and 43%, respectively, in the RP compared to the NP trees; however lateral root growth was stimulated by the RP treatment in the upper soil layers (30-40 cm). Full irrigation and deficit irrigation treatments stabilized the return bloom and improved fruit yield and size compared with the non-irrigated treatment without stimulating vegetative growth. Conclusively, the results indicate that root pruning is an effective practice controlling excessive shoot growth, and supplemental irrigation can improve fruit yield and quality in the root pruned trees. Therefore, a combination of root pruning and irrigation could be a promising alternative to control tree size and secure a stable fruit yield in pear orchards.